SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-55 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 2/3 May 2024 (02:37 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-55 group launch.

Launch 3 May 2024 at 02:37:00 UTC (2 May 10:37 pm EDT), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1067-19.  The first stage successfully landed aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 285 x 293 km.

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

Check the Starlink Index Thread for links to more Starlink information.

[zubenelgenubi]

Noting:

Well more NOTAMs for yet another Starlink launch from the Cape has been filed...and it's Group 6-54 that was never explicitly filed with the FCC (but which a recent "generic" communication license has been granted for such launches).

And:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated April 18 after Starlink 6-52 launch; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 22 at 6:40-10:40 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 26 around 7-11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe from pad 39A on April 28. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

And, assuming that SpaceX intends to continue Starlink Group 6 launches to fulfill their FCC request, my thoughts:

Starlink 6-55 could be the next Florida Starlink launch.  Extrapolating logistics forward, launch NET would be circa May 1, from SLC-40, with JRTI catching the first stage.

However, SpaceX may choose to interleave launches from Groups 6, 7, and 8.

A reasonable assumption would be that the Florida Starlink Group 8 launches will start with Starlink 8-4, only after Starlink 8-2 and 8-3 launch from Vandenberg.  So, not quite yet, but NET May.

Particularly, Starlink 7-28 is apparently also eligible for launch now/in the nearest future?


Also:

Two NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

Note that these notices are effective from 00:01 to 23:59 UTC every day through May 31, so they are multi-launch notices.

240407Z APR 24
HYDROLANT 869/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0001Z TO 2359Z DAILY 27 APR THRU 31 MAY
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   08-53.00S 092-28.00E, 07-46.00S 089-27.00E,
   30-12.00S 061-09.00E, 40-45.00S 002-21.00W,
   42-56.00S 002-24.00W, 32-16.00S 063-10.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 010059Z JUN 24.//

240407Z APR 24
HYDROPAC 1342/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0001Z TO 2359Z DAILY 27 APR THRU 31 MAY
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   08-53.00S 092-28.00E, 07-46.00S 089-27.00E,
   30-12.00S 061-09.00E, 40-45.00S 002-21.00W,
   42-56.00S 002-24.00W, 32-16.00S 063-10.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 010059Z JUN 24.//

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NET early May 2nd UTC:

F1549/24 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1453S08358E615
A) YMMM
B) 2405020333 C) 2405080550
D) 2405020333 TO 2405020827
   2405030307 TO 2405030801
   2405040241 TO 2405040735
   2405050215 TO 2405050709
   2405060148 TO 2405060642
   2405070122 TO 2405070616
   2405080056 TO 2405080550
E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND
SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE FALCON-9 STARLINK 6-55 WI THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
2033S 07500E
0746S 08927E
0853S 09228E
2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

A1496/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4206S02645E999
A) FAJO B) 2405020333 C) 2405080550
D) 2 MAY 0333-0827, 3 MAY 0307-0801, 4 MAY 0241-0735, 5 MAY 0215-0709,
6 MAY 0148-0642, 7 MAY 0122-0616, 8 MAY 0056-0550
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E) STARLINK 6-55 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE. APPLICABLE
AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO CLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated April 26:
Launch 2 May 01:43 UTC = 1 May 9:43 pm EDT
SLC-40

And:
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated April 26; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe from pad 39A on April 27 at ~8:35 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 28 at 5:50-9:50 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 1 around 9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

Cross-post; first stage landing likely aboard ASOG:

I highlight JRTI's turnaround for Starlink 6-54:

Signet Warhorse III + JRTI + B1078 returned to PC on Apr 25 @ 6:16pm ET

Doug + JRTI departed PC on Apr 26 @ 12:47am ET

And, via www.marinetraffic.com , I note ASOG is in port, tucked in the harbor "cul de sac" to the camera-left of the three cranes in the usual field of view of the NSF Space Coast camera watching Port Canaveral. 👀
<snip>

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launch notice.

NGA multi-launch Space Debris notices were cross-posted by zubenelgenubi above (link).

241624Z APR 24
NAVAREA IV 473/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   020143Z TO 020614Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   030117Z TO 030548Z, 040051Z TO 040522Z,
   050025Z TO 050456Z, 052358Z TO 060429Z,
   062332Z TO 070403Z, 072306Z TO 080337Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.68W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-23.00N 080-04.00W,
      28-20.00N 080-07.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.35N 080-32.49W.
   B. 26-15.00N 076-00.00W, 26-06.00N 074-58.00W,
      25-36.00N 074-03.00W, 25-23.00N 073-53.00W,
      25-09.00N 074-01.00W, 25-06.00N 074-16.00W,
      25-08.00N 074-38.00W, 25-18.00N 075-00.00W,
      25-58.00N 075-59.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 080437Z MAY 24.

[zubenelgenubi]

Which first stage will be used for this launch? (semi-rhetorical question)

Falcon 9 first stages are now apparently cleared for use up to twenty times for non-crewed launches, although that number is apparently more restricted for Cargo Dragon or Cygnus than these other payloads.

1064.6 and 1065.6 are the Falcon Heavy side boosters for Europa Clipper.  1072.1 and 1086.1 are assigned as the Falcon Heavy side boosters for GOES-U.

1073.15 and 1076.14 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but both are currently available for "single-stick" launches.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1076.13  Mar 30 Starlink 6-54
1067.19  Mar 31
1069.15  Apr 5
1073.15  Apr 7
1083.3    Apr 10

Edit May 1: It's B1067.19.

[OneSpeed]

NGA Rocket Launch notice.

    
Maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 600km downrange.

[crandles57]

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

SPACEX STARLINK 6-55, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   05/03/24      0117Z-0548Z
BACKUP:      05/04/24      0051Z-0522Z

1 day delay?

[GewoonLukas_]

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

SPACEX STARLINK 6-55, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   05/03/24      0117Z-0548Z
BACKUP:      05/04/24      0051Z-0522Z

1 day delay?

Yes, NOTAMs have also been updated:

A1558/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4206S02645E999
A) FAJO B) 2405030307 C) 2405080550
D) 3 MAY 0307-0801, 4 MAY 0241-0735, 5 MAY 0215-0709, 6 MAY 0148-0642,
7 MAY 0122-0616, 8 MAY 0056-0550
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E) STARLINK 6-55 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE. APPLICABLE
AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO CLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL

[Ken the Bin]

Cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice for the postponement.

The Space Debris notices are multi-launch so they won't be replaced.

291749Z APR 24
NAVAREA IV 482/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   030117Z TO 030548Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   040051Z TO 040522Z, 050025Z TO 050456Z,
   052358Z TO 060429Z, 062332Z TO 070403Z,
   072306Z TO 080337Z MAY.
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.68W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-23.00N 080-04.00W,
      28-20.00N 080-07.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.35N 080-32.49W.
   B. 26-15.00N 076-00.00W, 26-06.00N 074-58.00W,
      25-36.00N 074-03.00W, 25-23.00N 073-53.00W,
      25-09.00N 074-01.00W, 25-06.00N 074-16.00W,
      25-08.00N 074-38.00W, 25-18.00N 075-00.00W,
      25-58.00N 075-59.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 473/24
3. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 481/24, MSG NOT PROMULGATED.
4. CANCEL THIS MSG 080437Z MAY 24.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Thread for the Starlink 6-55 group launch.

Launch 3 May 2024 at 01:17 UTC (2 May 9:17 pm EDT), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 10xx-x.  The first stage will likely land aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 23? Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 284 x 293 km?

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

Check the Starlink Index Thread for links to more Starlink information.

[realnouns]

Signet Warhorse III + ASOG departed PC on Apr 30 @ 3:34pm ET

[Ron Lee]

A 9:43 PM EDT launch time may mean a deorbit event visible in the US southwest (as far east as Colorado) and up to Oregon.   Once Dr Kelso provides an elset I will provide look angles for several cities.

Dr Kelso providing the elsets before launch is appreciated greatly.  I have been able to see early passes of the satellites and now deorbit events.

[Ken the Bin]

L-1 weather forecast. 85% 'Go' for both May 2/3 and May 3/4. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for May 3/4. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

[GewoonLukas_]

NET 01:49 UTC
Booster B1067-19

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, May 2 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:49 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:17 a.m. ET on Friday, May 3. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 3 starting at 9:03 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, SES 03b mPOWER, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-55

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1rmxPMQNkWLKN

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1785796634846343211

Thursday evening, Falcon 9 is targeted to lift off from pad 40 in Florida, delivering 23 @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit →

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[Barley]

Can somebody correct the date.

Thursaday May 2nd, 9:49PM the launch time given by SpaceX is 3 May 01:49UTC.

[Ron Lee]

Dr Kelso's elset is based upon a 9:17 PM EDT launch.  It would be nice if SpaceX did not make these errors.

917 PM, 943 PM,  949 PM.

[rsmath]

Dr Kelso's elset is based upon a 9:17 PM EDT launch.  It would be nice if SpaceX did not make these errors.

917 PM, 943 PM,  949 PM.

it just means SpaceX is going to try for launch opportunity #2 or #3 or #4 (and the rest of the opportunities are not listed on Celestrak yet).

It should be interesting to see if the upper stage and Starlinks will be visible that long after sunset in some parts of the southwest or if they will be in orbital sunset by then.  No problem seeing them in NM if the lighting conditions are right and it can be seen in Arizona and Texas, also.  I would not be surprised if even western Louisiana can see it given the deorbit burn happens nearly overhead of Big Bend National Park.

[Ron Lee]

It should be interesting to see if the upper stage and Starlinks will be visible that long after sunset in some parts of the southwest or if they will be in orbital sunset by then.  No problem seeing them in NM if the lighting conditions are right and it can be seen in Arizona and Texas, also.  I would not be surprised if even western Louisiana can see it given the deorbit burn happens nearly overhead of Big Bend National Park.

The pass in Colorado Springs is good with a 917 PM EDT launch but in Houston TX the sunlit portion of the pass is perhaps two minutes.  It would be entirely in shadow with a 9:49 PM EDT launch from Houston.  States further west would have better viewing.  How do you know that the deorbit burn is over Big Bend?  What I am I seeing with the second stage west of Colorado Springs?   Perhaps I am seeing a deorbit burn or a propellant dump but both are wrong if the deorbit burn occurs over Big Bend.

The event that I am seeing is starting around T+1:31:02.  It would be nice if someone northwest of me were able to confirm that timing.  For Sacramento, CA, at that time the second stage is in the southeast  on a high elevation pass so they would be able to see it if it starts earlier.

On initial sighting in the west, there is a bright, naked eye object surrounded by a small diameter (moon diameter?) cloudy area.  It becomes dimmer as it moves south of my location.  The first time I did see one I also saw a possible thruster firing in the south-southeast.

I believe that rsmath saw the same event.